Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist, dental hygienist or your periodontist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.

A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.

Your periodontist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed. Gingivitis may present some or all symptoms such as bleeding gums, tenderness, puffiness, and redness of the gums.

Periodontitis

Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue to build up, the bacteria enters the spaces between the gums and teeth, and in time, the supporting bone of teeth may begin to recede from the teeth without pain. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.

Advanced Periodontitis

The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present. Once most of the supporting bone structure of the teeth is gone, pain and irritation may become noticable to the patient.